Bates ton sets up NZ victory

Suzie Bates' sixth ODI hundred led New Zealand to their first win over England in five years and a 1-0 lead in the series. Set 241 in the first of three matches at Bay Oval, England struggled to 173 all out, suffering their first defeat in the ICC Women's Championship and giving New Zealand their first win.

The league system will form the basis of qualification for the 2017 World Cup and New Zealand, four-time finalists and winners in 2000, had been struggling at the bottom, with three defeats out of three. However, they proved more than a match for England on home soil, thanks largely to a 157-run opening stand between captain Bates and Rachel Priest after New Zealand had been inserted.

England fought back as their spinners came to the fore, taking eight for 83 in the final 20 overs. Heather Knight claimed career-best figures with her burgeoning offspin, which included removing four of the top six, and Rebecca Grundy had 1 for 35 from ten overs on her one-day debut.

The New Zealand lower order hung in to make sure the openers' good work was not wasted and all the bowlers then contributed to an economical display, keeping England's scoring below four an over. Erin Bermingham picked up 2 for 20 from her allocation and there with three run-outs in the innings, as no England batsman managed to reach 30.

New Zealand's last victory over England came in an ODI at Lord's in 2010. The teams play two more fixtures as part of the Women's Championship, followed by three T20s and two more ODIs.